My new tank (Red Sea Max 250)

Ok so there's a couple of things to ensure which can help reduce the tempearture. First make sure the foams are not pushed down onto the pumps. There should be a few inches of water between the two. Secondly set the surface skimmer so that there is a water height difference between the aquarium and the filter. This will also make the skimmer work even better. Using the filter compartment viewing window, set the level in the filter so it is around 5-6 notches down from the top of the scale on the viewing compartment.

 

ok cool yes there is space between the foam and the larger pump and also between the skimmer pump and mechanical filter foam.
As for the water level, I have at the 2nd bar down from the top as per recommended by Red Sea, but I'll try it even lower then.

 

I saw one of those Red Sea 250 at my local fish store today. It has 6 T5's that is nice. You may want to swap out the bulbs for good quality mixed Kelvin's. I might bring the temperature down a notch too. If you want your tank to take on a bluer tint I can help you with that. Let me know. Here is a picture of my 120g with 8x54W T5's.

 

cool, I'll need to look into different bulbs I guess, which LFS do you go to ?
As for the temps, still goes up to the 81s during the day with tank lights on, at night it stays at 79.1 with the heater., I have it at 6 notches down on the level view window

 

I don't know any good lfs' in Wellington as I'm about 30 miles south. The Barrier Reef (561-368-1970) in Boca on 2nd Ave just north of Glades Rd is ok. Robin, Pauline and Richard are good and I've taken some of their advice. But the place to go to bring water to be analyzed is Exotic Aquatic (954-565-0947) on Oakland Park Blvd east of 1-95 before Dixie Hwy. They really take a close look. They have a web site. I just bought 2 Koralia 4's for under $50 each.My friend said there is a store at Boynton Beach Blvd and Federal Hwy that he's gone to. I can't vouch for it though. There is a store in Deerfield Beach called Tropical World of Fish it's just north of 10 Street. Scott is very knowledgeable, friendly and fair. They have nice corals, I bought most of mine there. He'll check your water too. Call Scott at 954-418-6448. I have to agree with Tangster that there is either a problem with the water or lights. Weak water will cause all kinds of problems. For lighting go to reefcentral.com and look up grim reefer, he's an expert. I'd also say that you should try and get another fan in there. Go to nanotank.com or nano-reef.com they may have info on that. Good luck with your venture.

 

yeah I usually drive to Barrier Reef, my buddy Mike used to work there, and I usually talk to Pauline, Robin or Brad.
I don't know the other place I may have to check them out.
Do any of these places charge for testing water, I know barrier reef is free, but they only test Ammonia, pH and Nitrite.
Also, you think 6 fans is not enough then ?

 

You have 6 fans? That is plenty but a chiller is a chiller and you want to try and avoid one if at all possible. Yeah, the Barrier Reef only checks a few parameters because they're so darn busy. Try going to Exotic Equatic one time. It's a pain getting there but those guys are very helpful and thorough with water tests. The dude in the back with the nose and eyelid piercing will bend over backwards to please but the owner is cool too. They have a display tank to die for. That's worth the trip. If your going let me know and I'll meet you there. Here are pictures of their display tank.

 

yep, the Red Sea Max 250 has 2 intake and 2 exhaust fans for the lights (they run only when the lights are ON), and the 2 optional intake "water cooling" fans (which are running 24/7) makes 6 fans total
I'll definitely have to check out Exotic Aquatic, I've driven by it many times Are they open on Sundays ? I am going to a car show Sunday at the Mills Pond park down the street this Sunday. Also I work out of FLL so maybe I can stop on the way back from work. I definitely want to avoid a chiller, especially seeing how much they cost lol

 

Oddly enough Exotic Aquatic is closed on Tuesdays but open 12-8 the other weekdays and 12-6 on weekends. Exotic Aquatic
Rob is the owner. The other thing I might say is I keep the front half of my canopy open for better air circulation and it keeps the water cooler. If I have company I close it for looks. Cuts down a degree in temperature.

 

I wouldn't advise changing the lamps just for the sake of it. The lamps we supply with the Max are the same spec as we use in the labs and we have had fantastic results with even the most demanding sps species. Like any T5 lamp we recommend they are replaced eery 9 months to ensure consistently high quality performance, however I douby you will benefit from changing from the specified lamps when the time comes to replace.